Low-cost carrier IndiGo said it will operate 252 weekly flights to and from the Middle East between March 16 and March 28, as it gradually restores services while aligning capacity with current operating conditions. The airline plans to run 126 weekly flights to Saudi Arabia, 98 to the United Arab Emirates, and 28 to Oman during this period. However, services to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah will remain suspended until March 28 due to airspace restrictions and operational constraints.
IndiGo said it is closely monitoring the situation amid geopolitical risks, airport limitations, and rising fuel and insurance costs, adding that additional ad-hoc flights could be deployed to assist stranded passengers. Shares of its parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, ended about 2 per cent lower at Rs 4,162 on the BSE on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Air India group, including Air India Express, is scheduled to operate 80 flights to and from West Asia on Saturday. These include 10 flights to and from Jeddah and eight scheduled services to Muscat, along with additional round-trip flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kozhikode and Mangaluru.
The group also plans to operate 62 non-scheduled flights to and from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, subject to slot availability and regulatory approvals, while exploring more ad-hoc services to support passenger demand.
Amid surging aviation turbine fuel prices linked to the regional tensions, IndiGo has introduced a fuel surcharge ranging from Rs 425 to Rs 2,300 on domestic and international tickets from March 14. The Air India group has also implemented a surcharge, including Rs 399 on domestic flights and additional charges on international routes, particularly to West Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia.
After Air India and IndiGo, Akasa Air on Saturday introduced a fuel surcharge on its flights, following a rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices amid evolving geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
In a post on X, the airline said the surcharge will range from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 across its domestic and international routes.
The surcharge will apply to all bookings made from 12:01 am on March 15, 2026, while tickets booked before that time will not be affected.
"Given this impact, Akasa Air will introduce a fuel surcharge ranging from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 on our domestic and international routes for all bookings made with effect from 00:01 hours on March 15, 2026," the airline said.
The carrier added that the fuel surcharge will be charged on a per-sector basis and will vary depending on the duration of the flight.
Akasa Air said the decision comes as aviation turbine fuel prices have risen significantly due to geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Fuel accounts for a substantial share of airline operating costs and directly affects industry-wide expenses.
Despite the increase, the airline said it remains focused on maintaining efficient operations and competitive fares.
"At Akasa Air, we remain focused on offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations and affordable fares while maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency," the airline said.
The airline added that it will continue to closely monitor the operating environment and review the fuel surcharge periodically.
Meanwhile, IndiGo on Friday announced a fuel surcharge on both domestic and international flight tickets starting March 14. In a statement, the airline said the surcharge will range between Rs 425 and Rs 2,300 depending on the route.
Earlier, Air India and Air India Express also announced the introduction of a fuel surcharge on flight tickets. According to the airline group, a fuel surcharge of Rs 399 per ticket on domestic flights came into effect from March 12.
(With inputs from IANS)
